The National Infantry Museum Columbus Georgia | 1775 Legacy Way 706-685-5800The National Infantry Museum Columbus Georgia | 1775 Legacy Way 706-685-5800 - The Official Site for the National Infantry Museumhttp://www.nationalinfantrymuseum.org
The Official Site for the National Infantry MuseumFri, 24 Jul 2015 16:39:44 +0000en-UShourly1http://wordpress.org/?v=3.9.7GEN Abizaid Leads Museum Project Honoring Soldiers in the GWOThttp://www.nationalinfantrymuseum.org/gen-abizaid-leads-museum-project-honoring-soldiers-in-the-war-on-terrorism/
http://www.nationalinfantrymuseum.org/gen-abizaid-leads-museum-project-honoring-soldiers-in-the-war-on-terrorism/#commentsThu, 23 Jul 2015 19:32:52 +0000http://www.nationalinfantrymuseum.org/?p=6978Read more]]>July 22, 2015:GEN (Ret) John Abizaid, the man who led American military forces across most of the Middle East from 2003 to 2007, has taken on a new role as head of the National Infantry Museum’s efforts to complete the story of Soldiers’ service in the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT). GEN Abizaid has visited the museum to begin laying the groundwork, and has enlisted a team of fellow four-star generals to help him get the job done.

The enhancements include a new large-scale outdoor memorial featuring the 14-foot steel beam taken from the wreckage of World Trade Center Tower 1, donated to the museum by New York City firefighters. In addition, a new film will be produced for the museum’s Line in the Sand Theater chronicling the Army’s fight from 2001 to the present, and some of the exhibits in the Sole Superpower gallery will be updated.

“This is a living museum,” National Infantry Foundation Chairman and CEO LTG (Ret) Carmen Cavezza explained. “The story of the Global War on Terrorism has changed significantly since the museum opened in 2009, and our Soldiers are still in the fight. The museum needs to continue to grow and evolve if we are to achieve our mission of honoring them for their service and sacrifice.”

GEN Abizaid retired from the United States Army after 34 years, earning four stars and becoming the longest-serving commander of United States Central Command. He was responsible for all military operations and activities in 27 nations in the Arabian Peninsula and the Middle East, the Horn of Africa, and Central Asia.

Since retiring from the Army in 2007, Abizaid has lent his expertise in matters of the Middle East in various consulting capacities. He enthusiastically accepted a request by officers of the National Infantry Museum Foundation to help design the Global War on Terrorism memorial and update the stories told in the museum’s film and exhibits.

“I can’t think of a more meaningful way for me to help,” Abizaid said. “The Soldiers who have served and continue to fight against terrorists worldwide deserve to have their story fully told in the National Infantry Museum.”

Abizaid has recruited a blue-ribbon committee of associates – all retired four-star generals who held command positions in the War on Terrorism – to help oversee planning for the improvements. They include:

General Stanley A. McChrystal – McChrystal’s last assignment was as Commander, International Security Assistance Force and Commander, U.S. Forces Afghanistan. As Commander, Joint Special Operations Command from 2003 to 2008, he was credited with the death of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, leader of Al-Qaeda in Iraq.

General George W. Casey, Jr.– Casey retired after serving President George W. Bush as the 36th Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army from 2007 to 2011. He previously served as Commanding General, Multi-National Force – Iraq from 2004 to 2007.

General Charles H. Jacoby, Jr.– Jacoby served as Commander, United States Northern Command and Commander, North American Aerospace Defense Command from 2011 to 2014. Jacoby was the first Army officer to assume command of Northern Command.

Abizaid’s first on-site meeting on the project was in late June. Early plans for the memorial call for a name-by-name listing of all those killed serving their country since September 11, 2001. It would recognize troops from all branches of the United States military. A separate panel might recognize U.S. allies and coalition partners.

“This is potentially the first national level monument to the current conflict,” Abizaid said. “This is the perfect place for it, and I am committed to making sure it adequately honors the hundreds of thousands of Soldiers who have sacrificed so much.”

The team of retired generals has also promised to help raise money for the project. Additional funding will come from the National Infantry Foundation’s phase II capital campaign called Advancing the Mission: the Campaign to Honor Heroes. The campaign to date has raised close to $9 million. Other planned projects include designing and fabricating the last remaining artifact gallery, building a patio garden for outdoor events, completing the Vietnam War Memorial, enhancing the functionality of the theater by installing a stage and equipment suitable for meetings and presentations, and creating a special effects Infantry Theater experience.

No date has been set for dedicating the Global War on Terrorism Memorial.

Where else would be better to celebrate America’s birthday than at the home of the Infantry? Attend Freedom Fest at the National Infantry Museum and be showered in patriotism and family fun!

Here are 10 Reasons Why You Can’t Miss Freedom Fest:

1. Freedom Food.

Find the five main festival food groups: funnel cakes, hamburgers, hot dogs, barbecue and ice cream. Dozens of vendors will be on-site, including a beer and wine tent. First rule to survive the Georgia heat is to stay hydrated!

2. Live Music.

Army Veteran Tim Maggart and Tim Zeager will kick off Freedom Fest with patriotic tunes. Then rock out with The Oneeders and The Wayne Minor Band! The bands will perform in front of the museum, providing plenty of space to get fancy and dancy.

3. The Kids Zone…aka play-time paradise.

Kids will be entertained all day with free bounce castles, face painting, Krazy hair, balloon animals, cornhole, and the chance to meet their favorite superheroes!

4. Parade your Patriotism.

Kids dress up their bicycles, tricycles and wagons, and (most importantly!) themselves to parade down Heritage Walk at 2pm. Judges will award prizes for the most creative displays of patriotism. We are talking head-to-toe AMERICA! Embrace the opportunity for a #starspangledselfie! Register online or on-site.

5. Eyes to the Sky.

Want to jump out of a perfectly good airplane? Neither do we. But the US Army Silver Wings love to live life on the edge. The Soldiers will perform an aerial demonstration at Inouye Field at 2:30pm. The Silver Wings will deliver the Declaration of Independence and the results from the parade from thousands of feet in the air.

6. Get your History on.

Our friends at The National Civil War Naval Museum will have the cannon ready for live firings every hour! The reenactors will also have a Civil War era campsite where visitors can engage in musket and cutlass demonstrations and drills. Additional living historians will show you more weapons and household items that were used in our nation’s earliest years.

7. Furry Friends.

iK9 will conduct demonstrations all day. You can also pet and love on their highly trained service dogs. iK9 trains emotional support dogs for those in need, particularly to military veterans coping with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Dogs really are a man’s best friend!

8. $5 IMAX Films.

Cool off in the IMAX Theatre and catch a documentary about our nation’s history! D-Day 3D: Normandy 1944 and We The People will rotate all day. And tickets are only $5.

9. A World-Class Museum.

While Freedom Fest is a blast, don’t forget about the museum’s remarkable display of artifacts! Explore the NIM and see what it takes to be a U.S. Army Infantryman. Visit World War II Company Street, Vietnam Memorial Plaza and the Memorial Walk of Honor.

But above all…

10. Learn and Remember that Freedom isn’t Free

As we celebrate Independence Day, let us not forget the men and women who have sacrificed tremendously to ensure our lives of comfort and freedom. Never forget our heroes, many who paid the ultimate sacrifice. Let us not forget their families who carry on their courageous legacy. At Freedom Fest, let’s celebrate the spirit of our country and always remember the brave patriots that defend freedom. Freedom isn’t free.

]]>http://www.nationalinfantrymuseum.org/10-reasons-you-cant-miss-freedom-fest/feed/2Survivor of LZ Albany to Sign Books at NIMhttp://www.nationalinfantrymuseum.org/survivor-of-lz-albany-to-sign-books-at-nim/
http://www.nationalinfantrymuseum.org/survivor-of-lz-albany-to-sign-books-at-nim/#commentsTue, 30 Jun 2015 17:04:30 +0000http://www.nationalinfantrymuseum.org/?p=6870Read more]]>Bud Alley and fellow members of the 7th Cavalry will share stories of the infamous battle that left hundreds dead

June 30, 2015: “We Were Soldiers Once,” the Mel Gibson movie based on a book by LTG (Ret) Hal Moore and war correspondent Joe Galloway, focused on the first part of the 1965 battle at Landing Zone X-Ray in Vietnam’s Ia Drang valley. The second part happened at LZ Albany, and that is the story told in The Ghosts of the Green Grass. Author Bud Alley, a survivor of that battle, will be selling and signing books in the lobby of the National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center Wednesday, July 1, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. A reception, open to the public, will follow.

The Ghosts of the Green Grass tells the story of 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry, as they were led to LZ Albany on November 17, 1965. What they did not know was that North Vietnamese soldiers were in hiding, waiting to ambush them. By sunrise the next day, 155 members of the unit lay dead and many more were wounded.

Bud Alley spent years collecting first-hand stories from the men he served with, as well as their wives and widows. The Ghosts of the Green Grass tells of the bravery, humor, foibles, and grief of the men and their leaders. Joining Alley at the Museum Wednesday will be other veterans of the battle, including Michael Pearson, who illustrated the book’s cover, and Jim Lawrence, who has written his own account of the events.

The 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry was formed at Fort Benning, Georgia, in July 1965 as part of the 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile). Airmobile was a new concept in combat, and was deemed successful by the end of the war.

Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02), Ranking Member of the U.S. House of Representatives Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, announced an upcoming veterans-focused tour through Middle Georgia. Congressman Bishop has invited and will be accompanied by the Honorable Robert McDonald, Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The tour will be complete with VA staff meetings at VA facilities within the 2nd Congressional District and two veterans-focused town hall meetings in Columbus and Macon.

In addition to providing oversight of the VA as the management culture within the Department shifts, Congressman Bishop has been working to ensure all veterans get the timely care and consideration they have earned through their service to our nation. The intent of the tour is to improve VA transparency and highlight the District-specific needs of veterans in Middle and Southwest Georgia.

WHO: -Congressman Sanford D. Bishop Jr. -Honorable Robert McDonald, Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs -Staff from the Office of Congressman Bishop -Staff from the Department of Veterans Affairs -Local service organizations -Area veterans

For more information, contact: Max Gigle, 202-225-3631

]]>http://www.nationalinfantrymuseum.org/town-hall-meeting-with-congressman-bishop-and-va-secretary-robert-mcdonald/feed/0NIM Named to TripAdvisor’s Hall of Famehttp://www.nationalinfantrymuseum.org/nim-named-to-tripadvisors-hall-of-fame/
http://www.nationalinfantrymuseum.org/nim-named-to-tripadvisors-hall-of-fame/#commentsWed, 10 Jun 2015 18:55:09 +0000http://www.nationalinfantrymuseum.org/?p=6781Read more]]>Award Recognizes Five Straight Years of Excellence

The National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center is proud to announce its induction into TripAdvisor’s Hall of Fame for 2015. The award, offered for the first time this year, recognizes businesses and attractions that consistently achieve outstanding traveler reviews and have earned the travel website’s Certificate of Excellence for five straight years.

“This distinction means a lot to us,” said National Infantry Foundation President Ben Williams. “We know travelers put a lot of stock in TripAdvisor, and when they read all the great reviews the museum receives from fellow travelers, they can be confident their visit, too, will be meaningful and memorable.”

TripAdvisor, the world’s largest travel website, launched the Certificate of Excellence program five years ago. It takes into account the quality, quantity and recency of reviews and opinions submitted by travelers over a 12-month period, as well as a business’s tenure and ranking on the site’s Popularity Index. To qualify for the award, a business must maintain an overall TripAdvisor bubble rating of at least four out of five, have a minimum number of reviews and must have been listed on TripAdvisor for at least 12 months.

The National Infantry Museum is rated #1 out of 43 “things to do” in Columbus. 826 of the 901 people from across the country and overseas who posted reviews rated it 5, or Excellent. The museum’s overall rating of 4.91 on a scale of 5 exceeds even the most popular attractions in Atlanta.

The National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center opened June 19, 2009. Since then, more than 1.9 million people have visited the museum.

Please tell us about your experience at the National Infantry Museum on TripAdvisor. Click here to leave your review!

]]>http://www.nationalinfantrymuseum.org/nim-named-to-tripadvisors-hall-of-fame/feed/0Freedom Fest Returns on Sat., July 4, 2015http://www.nationalinfantrymuseum.org/freedom-fest-returns-on-sat-july-4-2015/
http://www.nationalinfantrymuseum.org/freedom-fest-returns-on-sat-july-4-2015/#commentsTue, 02 Jun 2015 14:11:18 +0000http://www.nationalinfantrymuseum.org/?p=6749Read more]]>Independence Day celebration combines American history and family fun

The National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center will host its third annual community-wide Independence Day celebration on Saturday, July 4, 2015. Freedom Fest will be held from 11a.m. to 6 p.m., and will be filled with music, kids’ activities, historical reenactments, food, and fun.

The National Civil War Naval Museum at Port Columbus will bring the cannon this year for live firings every hour. Reenactors will set up a Civil War era campsite and will engage visitors in musket and cutlass demonstrations and drills. Additional living historians will set up displays inside the museum to allow visitors to touch and learn about both weapons and household items used in our country’s early years.

All day, kids will enjoy bounce houses, face and hair painting, balloon animals and Superheroes. The Pint-Sized Patriot Parade starts at 2 p.m. Youngsters are invited to dress up their bicycles, tricycles, and wagons – and themselves! – and parade down Heritage Walk accompanied by John Philip Sousa marches. Judges will award prizes for the most creative displays of patriotism. In the museum’s Grand Hall, parents can get free ID kits for their children through the GaCHIP program.

Live bands will perform throughout the day just outside the museum’s rotunda. Large tents will provide seating and shelter from the sun for audiences. The Silver Wings Parachute Demonstration Team is expected to drop in at Inouye Field at 2:30 p.m.

New this year will be demonstrations by iK9, an Auburn, Alabama, organization that trains service dogs to assist veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. World War II Company

Street will be open for self-guided tours between 11a.m. and 3 p.m. Volunteers will be on hand to help visitors locate names on the Vietnam Wall, and the Memorial Walk of Honor will be open all day.

The IMAX Theatre will be the perfect place to cool off, with alternating screenings of D-Day 3D: Normandy 1944 and We the People. Visitors can purchase ice cream, barbecue plates, chicken sandwiches, funnel cakes, hot dogs, hamburgers, pretzels, beer, frozen mocktails and soft drinks from our vendors. The Fife and Drum restaurant and the IMAX concessions stand will be open for diners who’d rather stay indoors.

The museum’s activities will end at 6 p.m. Visitors will be encouraged to head to uptown Columbus or Phenix City for a concert in the riverside amphitheater and fireworks at dark.

Admission to Freedom Fest is free. A donation of $5 per person is requested at the door. There will be nominal costs for the IMAX Theatre, combat simulators, and food and drinks. The National Infantry Foundation relies on donations to operate the museum and preserve the artifacts that tell the heroic story of the American Infantryman.

Coolers, grills and pets, other than service dogs, are not permitted. Weapons and fireworks are prohibited, and all bags will be checked by security officers.

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http://www.nationalinfantrymuseum.org/freedom-fest-returns-on-sat-july-4-2015/feed/1Summer Hours: Open 7 Days a Week!http://www.nationalinfantrymuseum.org/summer-2015-hours/
http://www.nationalinfantrymuseum.org/summer-2015-hours/#commentsTue, 26 May 2015 18:03:40 +0000http://www.nationalinfantrymuseum.org/?p=6718Read more]]>NIM to Open Seven Days a Week for ‘Summer to Remember’

Beginning June 1, 2015, the National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center will be open seven days a week to give visitors additional opportunities to take part in the summer’s activities and explore the museum’s countless stories and artifacts.

The popular free Family Film Fest starts Monday, June 1, and will continue through July 29. Each week the museum will show two family-favorite movies on the giant IMAX screen at no charge. The movies will be shown at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. See the schedule and all 18 titles here.

On Saturday, June 6, the museum will commemorate the 71st anniversary of the landing of Allied troops in Europe with additional screenings of D-Day 3D: Normandy 1944 in the IMAX Theatre and the sharing of personal stories on the museum’s social media platforms.

The NIM will celebrate Flag Day and the Army’s 240th birthday on Sunday, June 14, with free flags for visitors, patriotic music, and birthday cake in the lobby.

Freedom Fest returns on Saturday, July 4, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The community can enjoy live music, bounce houses, re-enactors, a kids’ parade, food vendors and more.

Summer Camp Benning offers one-week day camps for six weeks in June and July for campers of all ages and levels of experience. Slots are still available; contact the Camp Director at 706-653-9234 for more information.

There will also be a Scouts Day at the museum this summer, where both girls and boys in uniform will get special discounts to the IMAX Theatre and simulator attractions.

Grownups will look forward to the can’t-miss social event of the summer: the annual 1775 Society gala on Saturday, August 22. This year’s theme is “A Night at the Museum: The Last 100 Yards.” The black-tie fundraiser features fine dining, dancing, and a silent auction. For tickets, call Jane Bayer at 706-685-2604.

Enjoy a ‘Summer to Remember’ at a Place to Remember … the National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center!

]]>http://www.nationalinfantrymuseum.org/summer-2015-hours/feed/0Memorial Day Commemoration Activitieshttp://www.nationalinfantrymuseum.org/memorial-day-commemoration-activities/
http://www.nationalinfantrymuseum.org/memorial-day-commemoration-activities/#commentsMon, 18 May 2015 18:20:41 +0000http://www.nationalinfantrymuseum.org/?p=6698Read more]]>Memorial Day at the National Infantry MuseumActivities run from May 21 through May 25

May 18, 2014: The National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center, normally closed on Mondays, will be open Monday, May 25, to commemorate Memorial Day. Here are some of the activities scheduled for that day, and the days leading up to it:

For just the third time since its arrival at the National Infantry Museum in September 2009, a steel beam pulled from the wreckage of the World Trade Center will be on display Thursday, May 21 through Monday, May 25. It was donated to Fort Benning by New York City firefighters in appreciation for Soldiers who have fought in the War on Terrorism. The beam will be the centerpiece for a new memorial at the National Infantry Museum honoring those Soldiers.

SATURDAY, MAY 23“You’re in the Army, Now!”9 a.m. – 4 p.m. World War II Company Street

Kelly’s Zeroes living historians will be back at the museum for “You’re in the Army, Now!” Saturday, May 23, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on World War II Company Street, which is located behind the National Infantry Museum. The WWII historians will take visitors back to the 1940s to see what life was like for our Soldiers during the war. They’ll even get the chance to participate in drills, marches & calisthenics on the authentically restored World War II Company Street! There is no charge for this activity; donations are appreciated.

MONDAY, MAY 25 – MEMORIAL DAY (Museum Open 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.)

Memorial Day Mini Camp9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Patriot Hall, inside the museum

Kids aged 5-11 learn about military history and appreciation through games, hands-on activities, guided tours, refreshments and more. For registration information, contact the Camp Director at campdirector@nationalinfantrymuseum.org or 706-653-9234, ext 5849.

Paver Dedication Ceremony10 a.m. Heritage Walk (east side of museum)

The Memorial Day paver dedication ceremony will feature guest speaker SFC (Ret) Mike Schlitz, an Army Ranger who was severely injured while on a road-clearing mission in Baghdad in 2007. Still recovering from burns over 85 percent of his body, Schlitz travels the country giving motivational speeches. Nearly 200 granite pavers will be dedicated this Memorial Day. Family and friends will have the opportunity to make rubbings of commemorative pavers following the ceremony. Click here to learn more about Heritage Walk pavers.

Flag Retirement Ceremony12:30 p.m. Fire Pit (behind museum)

Local Scouts will conduct an official flag retirement ceremony at the fire pit behind the museum. Visitors and residents are encouraged to bring torn, tattered or soiled flags for proper disposal.

MoviesIMAX Theatre at Patriot Park 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Two documentaries will be shown throughout the day on Memorial Day. D-Day 3D: Normandy 1944 tells the story of the Allied invasion on the beaches of Normandy using a ‘cocktail’ of innovative film techniques, including animation, CGI and stunning live-action images. The film is narrated by journalist and historian Tom Brokaw. (11am, 1pm, 3pm, 5pm)

We the People is a powerful giant screen historical documentary about America’s founding documents and the people who wrote, shaped and tested them. Narrated by the iconic voices of Morgan Freeman and Kenny Rogers, We the People is meant to engage and inspire its audience to learn more about and participate in our democracy. (10am, noon, 2pm and 4 pm)

IMAX documentary tickets are $8 for adults, $7 for students/military/seniors and $6 for children 4-12.

Billy Blanchard, President and CEO of Columbus Bank and Trust Company, has agreed to lead a Phase II capital campaign for the National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center in Columbus.

“I’m honored to have been asked to lead this campaign in support of the Infantry Museum, a local, state, and national treasure. All of us have been impacted by Ft. Benning and the men and women who have sacrificed so much in service to us and our great nation. Giving back to support the museum, which honors those men and women in such an amazing way, is a privilege.” - Billy Blanchard

Advancing the Mission: the Campaign to Honor Heroes seeks to raise $20 million to pay for enhancements to one of the region’s most highly acclaimed attractions. Concurrent with the local campaign is one underway in the Atlanta metro area, chaired by businessman Sam Friedman and Georgia State Senator Hunter Hill. The combined efforts have already raised commitments totaling more than $8 million.

The Foundation intends to use these funds to:

create a Global War on Terrorism memorial and update the gallery chronicling the conflict

design and fabricate the last remaining artifact gallery

build a Veteran’s patio garden for outdoor events

complete the Vietnam War Memorial

enhance the functionality of the theater by installing a stage and equipment suitable for meetings and presentations

create a special effects Infantry Theater experience

Blanchard’s passion for the museum was cemented while serving a three-year term on the National Infantry Foundation’s Board of Directors. As chairman of the campaign, he has organized a team of fellow community leaders to help raise the funds. The campaign should be completed by the end of the year.

National Infantry Museum Foundation Chairman Carmen Cavezza said Blanchard’s widely respected business savvy and personable style makes him the right person for the job. “He listens to people and people listen to him. When he explains to potential donors how important and how worthy these projects are, I have no doubt they’ll be eager to contribute.”

The world-class National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center opened nearly six years ago thanks to commitments of more than $100 million from local, regional, national and international supporters. “We can now demonstrate a strong, five-year track record to potential donors in Columbus and across the state,” Cavezza said. “Georgia’s leading philanthropists are beginning to realize that the National Infantry Museum is much, much more than a local attraction.”

The museum has attracted more than 1.8 million visitors in its first five years. TripAdvisor, the world’s largest travel website, ranks it as the number one attraction in Columbus, with scores that make it one of the top attractions in Georgia.

Now Hiring at the National Infantry Museum Patriot Park IMAX Theatre

If you enjoy interacting with others and would love a job honoring Soldiers, we want to hear from you! The National Infantry Museum Foundation is now hiring part-time employees at The Patriot Park IMAX Theatre. To apply, please download an application here, or visit the Information Desk in the museum lobby.

Position: Part-time IMAX Theatre Host. As a host, candidates must have a flexible schedule and ability to remain on-call. Weekday and weekends required. Hours may vary and range up to 20 hours per week.

Applications and resumes can be mailed, emailed or dropped off at the IMAX Theatre Box Office inside the museum lobby.

Email to:
info@nationalinfantryfoundation.org

*Job offer is based upon successful completion of drug test and background screening.

In accordance with federal law and U.S. Department of the Treasury policy, the National Infantry Foundation is an equal opportunity provider and is prohibited from discriminating on the bases of race, color, national origin, age or disability.